Illinois' Weber on verge of contract extension, raise

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will be asked to approve a two-year contract extension and $150,000 raise for basketball coach Bruce Weber, who led the Illini to the national championship game and a 37-2 record last season.

The deal would put Weber under contract through the 2010-2011 season and create a deferred compensation account that could pay him more than $1.1 million if he remains the Illinois coach that long, according to an agenda item prepared for Thursday's trustees meeting in Chicago.

Weber was at a basketball camp on Friday and did not immediately return a telephone message left by the Associated Press at his office.

Weber signed a five-year contract when he replaced Bill Self on May 1, 2003. He received a one-year extension last June after leading the Illini to their first outright Big Ten title since 1952.

The Illini won that title again last season and were national runners-up to North Carolina, losing the title game 75-70. Illinois was ranked No. 1 in the AP poll for 15 consecutive weeks.

Weber's current pay, which includes his salary and money he receives for doing radio and TV shows, camps and promotional events, totals $550,000 a year. The new deal would keep his salary at $200,000, but raise the additional pay by $150,000, bringing his total compensation to $700,000 per year, according to the agenda document.

The trustees also will be asked to approve a deferred compensation account for Weber, with an initial deposit of $100,000 by April 30 and annual payments of $200,000 for the remainder of his contract. Weber would receive the accumulated $1.1 million dollars plus interest if he is still coach on April 30, 2011.

Weber's salary is paid with operating revenue from the university's Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and his other compensation is paid by camp fees, broadcasting revenue and corporate sponsorships, the university said.